Bank holidays shape when people take leave, when offices close and when services such as removals, banks and government offices are available. For HR and mobility teams, knowing the 2027 dates early helps plan start dates, moves and assignee arrivals around the UK calendar.

This guide lists all UK bank holidays for 2027, explains the three-day working week at the end of the year and shows how to plan relocations around them.

UK bank holidays 2027 in England and Wales

England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2027. Because Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend, two substitute days apply in December.

Date	Day	Bank holiday
1 January	Friday	New Year’s Day
26 March	Friday	Good Friday
29 March	Monday	Easter Monday
3 May	Monday	Early May bank holiday
31 May	Monday	Spring bank holiday
30 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday
27 December	Monday	Christmas Day (substitute day)
28 December	Tuesday	Boxing Day (substitute day)

UK three-day week in 2027

The UK three-day week in 2027 is the working week of 27 December, when substitute bank holidays fall on both Monday and Tuesday. Christmas Day falls on Saturday 25 December and Boxing Day on Sunday 26 December, so the bank holidays move to Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December.

For employees working Monday to Friday, this leaves only three working days that week: Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 December. With New Year’s Day 2028 falling on a Saturday, a further substitute bank holiday is expected on Monday 3 January 2028.

For HR and mobility teams, this means reduced availability of removals providers, landlords, banks and government services in the final week of the year, so moves and start dates should be planned around it.

UK bank holidays 2027 in Scotland

Scotland has nine bank holidays in 2027, including 2 January and St Andrew’s Day.

Date	Day	Bank holiday
1 January	Friday	New Year’s Day
4 January	Monday	2nd January (substitute day)
26 March	Friday	Good Friday
3 May	Monday	Early May bank holiday
31 May	Monday	Spring bank holiday
2 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday
30 November	Tuesday	St Andrew’s Day
27 December	Monday	Christmas Day (substitute day)
28 December	Tuesday	Boxing Day (substitute day)

UK bank holidays 2027 in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has ten bank holidays in 2027, including St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne.

Date	Day	Bank holiday
1 January	Friday	New Year’s Day
17 March	Wednesday	St Patrick’s Day
26 March	Friday	Good Friday
29 March	Monday	Easter Monday
3 May	Monday	Early May bank holiday
31 May	Monday	Spring bank holiday
12 July	Monday	Battle of the Boyne
30 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday
27 December	Monday	Christmas Day (substitute day)
28 December	Tuesday	Boxing Day (substitute day)

Official dates are published on GOV.UK.

What is a substitute bank holiday?

A substitute bank holiday is a weekday bank holiday given when a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The holiday usually moves to the next available weekday, which in 2027 creates the three-day week at Christmas.

How bank holidays affect relocation planning

Bank holidays affect relocation planning because many of the services a move depends on slow down or close. These include:

• Household goods providers and removals crews
• Letting agents, landlords and conveyancers
• Banks and utility providers
• Schools and nurseries
• Government and visa services

Moves booked close to bank holiday weekends also tend to face higher demand, so earlier booking is advisable.

Planning relocations around UK bank holidays in 2027

Planning relocations around UK bank holidays helps avoid delays and gives relocating employees a smoother start. Practical steps include:

• Avoid move dates on or just before bank holiday weekends where possible
• Allow extra time for key handovers, bank account set-up and utility connections
• Plan start dates for international assignees after, rather than during, the Christmas three-day week
• Check regional differences when employees relocate to Scotland or Northern Ireland
• Share the 2027 calendar with relocating employees during their policy briefing

For a wider view of key dates, see our global mobility compliance calendar and year-end mobility checklist.

Relocating employees to the United States as well? See our guide to US holidays in 2027.

How MovePlus supports relocation planning

MovePlus works with HR and mobility teams to plan relocations around key dates, suppliers and destination-specific considerations. The MOVEPLUS™ platform centralises key dates, documents and approvals, giving teams a clear view of every move and helping relocating employees settle in on schedule.

Frequently asked questions

1. How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2027?

England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2027, Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland has ten.

2. What is the three-day week in 2027?

The three-day week is the week beginning 27 December 2027, when substitute bank holidays for Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on Monday and Tuesday, leaving three working days.

3. When is Easter 2027 in the UK?

Good Friday is on 26 March 2027 and Easter Monday is on 29 March 2027.

4. Are bank holidays the same across the UK?

No. Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional bank holidays, and the summer bank holiday falls on a different date in Scotland.